Operation Hearts and Soles

In honor of their good friend Jennifer Fitzgerald, Dennis and Leslie Smith have started Operation Hearts and Soles. Every year, on Jennifer's birthday, Dennis and Leslie purchase new shoes for the children currently enrolled in Children Today's Play House programs.

In Dennis's words, "Jennifer has left an indelible print on our lives and in our community, and as her children grow and come of age they will have some comfort in knowing the positive impact their mother had on so many people. Operation Heart and Soles honors Jennifer's love for children, shoes and shopping. Jennifer's spirit is behind this project all the way, I felt her wonderful smile and sparkling eyes as we searched for the shoes".

The first year the children received the Operation Hearts and Soles shoes, they participated in an activity that Kassie, the preschool teacher, facilitated. She created a gift box (decorated with wrapping paper) and called it the "surprise box". Children were to guess what was in the box. They could ask for clues and shout out ideas, etc. In the box, Kassie would place new shoes that were purchased the day before in honor of Jennifer's birthday. As she unveiled the surprise, she shared with the children how and why the shoes came to the Play House. She told them about Jennifer and her love of shoes. She told them that Mr. Dennis & Ms. Leslie wanted to celebrate Jennifer's memory by buying shoes for them. Kassie also told them that our school was Jennifer's idea and that she worked very hard so that we could all have a place to be together. A little girl stood up and said "We should sing Happy Birthday to Jennifer in heaven." They all broke out into song to celebrate her birthday anniversary and to give thanks for her vision and generosity. One child said he would say a prayer for her tonight.

Shortly after the activity, the preschool kids were parading around in new shoes and comparing them with beautiful detail.

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THANK YOU DENNIS & LESLIE